Systematic review of the natural history of vestibular schwannoma

Abstract

Although their applicability may be limited to relatively elderly patients with small tumors, data revealing a limited frequency of VS enlargement and an infrequent necessity for eventual therapy should assist decision-making in the treatment of small VSs causing minimal symptoms.

Spontaneous Regression of a Growing Vestibular Schwannoma-Case Report-

“…2) Except for these patients, no similar case was described in the literature on spontaneous regression. 6,7,[10][11][12][14][15][16][17][18] The clinical features in patients managed conservatively were investigated to identify the tumor growth-promoting factors. Although no predisposing factor to predict tumor growth was identified, 12,14,16) patient age was correlated with tumor growth.…”

“…7) However, spontaneous regression is rare. 4,[6][7][8]10,[14][15][16][17][18] We report a case of spontaneous regression of a growing vestibular schwannoma during an 11-year follow-up period.…”

“…4,8,12,[14][15][16][17][18] Significant tumor growth occurred in 38.9-82% of the patients, no or insignificant growth in 12-47%, and negative growth in 2.8-19.4%. 4,6,7,10,[14][15][16][17][18] An extensive review of 26 studies including 1340 patients found that the overall frequency of growth was 46% and that of regression was 8%. 18) Investigation of tumor growth patterns during the observation period indicated variable growth in vestibular schwannomas: continuous growth in 38%, no measurable growth 12%, no measurable growth and then continuous growth in 24%, negative growth in 6%, and various positive tumor growth in 20%.…”

“…4,[6][7][8][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] These benign tumors grow slowly at less than 2 mm/year in most patients. 4,8,12,[14][15][16][17][18] Significant tumor growth occurred in 38.9-82% of the patients, no or insignificant growth in 12-47%, and negative growth in 2.8-19.4%. 4,6,7,10,[14][15][16][17][18] An extensive review of 26 studies including 1340 patients found that the overall frequency of growth was 46% and that of regression was 8%.…”

Analysis of causes for late presentation of Indian patients with vestibular schwannoma

“…10 If the highest rate of tumour growth were assumed, a patient with a 30 mm vestibular schwannoma would have harboured the tumour for nearly 10 years. Therefore, in our series, the major delay in diagnosis was caused by patients' own lack of awareness, or concern, regarding their presenting symptom, usually unilateral hearing loss.…”